Beautiful day

[altivo]

It was sunny with little puffy clouds, a very light breeze, and a temperature just above 80°F.

Our friends Doug and Leon came for a more or less middle eastern dinner that Gary wanted to make. He did three kinds of flat bread (I liked the Moroccan one best, it had anise seeds inside and sesame seeds outside, and the crust was brushed with olive oil before baking) and three kinds of hummus, all of which were delightful. Then we had shishkebab made with chicken, sweet peppers, sweet Vidalia onions, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Couscous, pickled watermelon rind, potato salad, and red wine rounded it out. Doug brought brownies for dessert.

I took Tess out to the grass for almost an hour. She's getting used to the idea that she will get to go out and doesn't need to fuss or rush, and she's always good coming back, even though she obviously would prefer to stay out. This time it was threatening rain, and we did actually get a sprinkle while finishing up evening chores. I guess more may be on the way. Doug enjoyed a little conversation with her in which she gave him lots of kisses on his hands and arms. He remarked on how nice she is, which is usually true. She's a sweetheart as long as she knows she can't take over and play alpha mare. Put her with other horses, though, and all bets are off. She's out to claim the top spot.

The sheep are over the trauma of being sheared, and were probably quite happy not to have that load of wool when it got so warm today. I think it must be the first time this year that the temperature was still above 70 at 8 pm.

Comments

[marzolan.livejournal.com]

Brownies! The rest of it sounds good too, but still... brownies!

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Actually, I didn't have any brownies. But Doug is a very good cook, so I'm sure they were good.

[quickcasey.livejournal.com]

It was a wonderful day. I did a bit of gardening. Do daffodils bloom all summer, or are they early like tulips? And what do you do with the stuff above the bulb if they stop bloomimg?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Daffodils do not bloom all summer. Once the flowers fade, cut the flower stem and remove them. Leave the foliage alone until it starts to turn yellow, then cut it off without disturbing the tubers below (unless you plan to relocate them somewhere else, which is best done in late summer or early fall when they are quite dormant.

We have lots of daffs here. You haven't seen it at this time of year. Gary keeps planting more and more of them, so there are patches all over the grass under the trees, all shades of yellow, white, and even orange. Early and late bloomers. Some are just opening now.

[octatonic.livejournal.com]

"I took Tess out to the grass for almost an hour. She's getting used to the idea that she will get to go out and doesn't need to fuss or rush, and she's always good coming back, even though she obviously would prefer to stay out."

The first horse I road was named Charlie.

When asked about my riding skills I said, "If theres less than
zero, I'm it."

They put me on Charlie.

He was old, and none to happy for /another/ rider. But he did his
duty, letting me lead him in slow left turns around the pen, though
at each turn by the barn I had to pull harder cause he obviously
wanted to go straight back to his stall.

I could almost hear him speaking in the voice of Eeyore;

"Another ride around the pen, I only want my oats, oh my back,
this one is light but he pulls too hard on my reins, when
will it ever end?"

Maybe he was Marvin the Robot in hoss disquise. c.c

The next time I rode a horse I said, having learned
my lessons well, "I'm pretty good".

They gave me Phoebe.

*hangs on and cries and pets her and begs her to stop*

[altivo.livejournal.com]

That's often the way it is with livery stable horses. Imagine renting a dog for a day. How likely is that dog to understand your commands and respond to them? Some dogs would be better than others, but most are best with people they know and trust. Horses are the same way.

[octatonic.livejournal.com]

Phoebe let me off, eventually when they
caught her. She tossed her head and
looked at me. I peered at her and rubbed
my rump. She snorted and they led
her away.

I haven't been on a horse since.

When the Apocalypse happens and I /have/
to ride a horse, sure. Until then...
I can fix my car eaiser. @.@

[altivo.livejournal.com]

As you wish. I doubt anyone will make you.

Actually I enjoy my horse's company just as I do my dog's. She likes me, it seems.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

We've got a Tajin cooking device, I've never quite worked out how to use it properly though. So Tess likes to be the Alpha? Does that get her into trouble?

[altivo.livejournal.com]

Trying to be alpha all the time means she spends a lot of time separated from other horses by a fence. If she were a little more tolerant she'd have company, but she seems to spend all her time and energy on bullying others given half a chance. The only exception was her own daughter, who actually needed a little discipline and rarely got any.

[cabcat.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a lot of mothers really

[altivo.livejournal.com]

LOL. I hadn't thought of it that way, but you're absolutely right.